Frightful

The peregrine falcon sat perched on a dead tree on the ridge. Her feathers were fluffed, trapping air in them that warmed up from her body heat, which quickly warmed her. Her third eyelid covered most of her eyes, but she could still peek out at the world. With winter coming, it was cold up here on the ridges.

Suddenly the bird's eyes came open, revealing irises the color of amber. Frightful heard a faint rustling, and saw with her falcon eyesight saw a tiny little mouse scratching around for seeds to gather for winter. She suddenly sprang off of the limb and dove down, talons reaching out.

She tackled the mouse and in an instant it was dead. She carried her catch back up to her perch, where she downed it. Then she took flight again, and soared around the top of the ridge, scanning for something of interest.

Anya; Zola; Aiara; Kirill

While their master was away, the group of four animals decided to do some exploring. They were sure Lark wouldn't mind. She was always off on some wild goose chase, anyways. Often it was she who was being chased.

Kirill soared high above the rough terrain, while Zola, Anya and Aiara stopped at the edge of the territory of the Sombra Cazadores. Kirill landed on a sapling next to the horse and two dogs. "Ia videl bamdia dikikh koshek zdes'. My dolzhny deistvovat' ostopozhno. I have seen a band of wild cats here. We should proceed with caution." The Gyrfalcon said in his native language. Suddenly, he noticed the Peregrine Falcon and called out to her. "Hey! I'm Kirill! Who are you?"

Frightful

Frightful braked toward the strange procession when she heard the other bird direct his voice to her. She dove, braked and landed softly next to him on the sapling. She flapped her wings a bit to keep her balance, and then spoke. "I am Frightful. I soar these ridges." She looked closely at Kirill, and seeing that he was not from here asked," What is your name? I haven't heard a language such as that of which you spoke. Are from around here?" She preened a bit as she waited for his reply.

Kirill

Kirill smiled at the falcon, watching her with his big, dark eyes. "We should be careful around here. I've seen a pack of wild cats here. They call themselves the Sombra Cazadores." He informed politely with a Russian accent. "I am Kirill. I'm a stranger here; I'm from Russia." It could be seen that he was owned by a human, as he had a band on his leg. "I travel with my master and her other pets." He nodded to his friends. "The horse is Zola, and the dogs are Anya and Aiara."

Windsong

Windsong slowly walked towards the small association of animals, a wide grin upon his face. Two dogs. The closest was Anya. With a friendly pose, and a ungreedy smile, Windsong trotted up. "Hello." Windsong greeted the group.

Anya

The West Siberian Laika turned around to face Windsong. She was anything but friendly. A trained fighter, she knew how to defend herself. "Hi." She said bluntly, raising her head and tail up in a display of dominance. She was like this for every strange dog, unless her master told her it was alright.

Windsong

Windsong puffed out his chest, head and tail already held high. Windsong gave a low growl to warn Anya. "Too proud for your own good." Windsong snarled, golden eyes narrowed.

Anya; Aiara; Zola

Anya smirked at the wolf, baring her deadly fangs. "Vy dolzhny zapustit', Volk. You should run, Wolf." She warned in her native language. She doubted Windsong understood Russian, but she liked to tease her enemies.

Aiara turned around when she heard that her half-sister sounded angry. "Hey! Leave my sister alone!" She snarled at Windsong.

Zola chuckled at Anya's words. "She's telling you that you should run. If I were you, I'd obey her." The mare snorted.

Windsong

"Dumb horse." Windsong snapped at Zola, and quickly faked a snap at Aiara before lunging for Anya, attempting to seize her by her scruff. "I'll do what I please, mongrel." Windsong directed at Aiara

Anya; Aiara; Zola

Zola reared up, squealing. "Die!" She snapped, bucking at Windsong. Wolves always made her uncomfortable.

Unfortunately, Zola had also kicked Anya by accident, whether or not she hit Windsong as well. Anya fell to the ground and was seized by the enemy. "Let me go!" She barked.

Zola charged after Windsong, while Aiara lunged for him.

Windsong

Windsong had hold of Anya, and felt the impact of the horse with a grunt. Windsong pulled away so Zola and Aiara had missed. Windsong bit tighter into Anya's neck, and began to pull her away. "Come, m'dear."

Frightful

Frightful leapt off of her and Kirill's branch at the first sign of aggression.She screamed in the way that falcons do, and dive bombed the intruder Windsong, talons outstretched, reaching for his eyes.

Kirill

Kirill jumped back at the sight of all this. There was nothing he could do, and he didn't want to look for his master while the others were being attacked. While he wished he could help, he was forced to simply keep his distance. "D...Don't waste your time. The enemy has already fled." He said to Frightful.

Frightful

Frightful flapped her way back up to Kirill, hovering by him. "Yes, that wretchid wolf is gone now, taking your friend with him." SHe ruffled her feathers in irritation.

Frightful

Frightful lept off of her branch and soared away over the ridges, heading south for the winter. In South America she would spend her winter, and come back when the steamy forests got too hot.